WHEN it comes to forging a successful career, it’s often more about who, rather than what, you know.

But a south Essex DJ duo are making big waves on the club scene without exploiting a well-known connection.

Jimmy Lee, brother of ex-Southend United star David Lee, and Jon Slater have landed three major sets in Ibiza this summer, and this weekend launch their own night at Zinc, in Southend.

The pair’s acclaim is down to the strength of their podcasts, hour-long mixes of progressive house and trance music, which they first put on iTunes about two and-a-half years ago.

“We didn’t know what that was going to bring,” says 25-year-old Jimmy. “But within a month we had 20,000 downloads.

“We were really surprised by that. In 2008, half a million people from all around the world downloaded our podcasts.

“It’s all gone a bit mad and that’s what got us the bookings in Ibiza.”

The duo, who have played together for about eight years after meeting at David’s 21st birthday bash, will perform to more than 30,000 clubbers at three prestigious venues on the Balearic Island, in July.

Their slot at Privilege, on Ibiza, will be in front of 15,000 people alone, when they host a room at DJ superstar Tiesto’s night.

“We are excited and nervous as that’s a lot of people,” says Jimmy, who lives in Orsett.

“It’s the biggest stage we will be playing on and we will seize the opportunity.”

Yet for Jimmy, it’s not the first time he’s been under the spotlight. Like his brother, he was also a talented footballer, playing for Tottenham Hotspur’s youth squad for two years and trying out for Southend, before trading the sport for his love of dance music.

“Even when I was playing football, I was still DJing and getting in at six in the morning, so it didn’t really work,” he admits.

“I have more of an interest in the music and that’s my big passion.”

Jimmy and Jon, 24, who hails from South Ockendon, will be focusing on their own night, WTF, which launches at the Southend club tomorrow.

More infectious house tunes will come from DJ PK, Shane Long, Robbie S and Scott Taylor, who share the decks during the evening.

The club, in Lucy Road, runs from 10pm to 4am, and admission is £10.